eGaming Review November 2012

F E A T U R E P O W E R 50 42 01 > BET365 P R I VAT E (1) The Stoke operator has continued where it left off last year showing consistent signs of growth in every vertical, particularly in in-play and mobile betting; the former category its pièce de résistance; the latter an area in which it continues to look to improve and bolt-on new features. During the year, the company offered bets on more than 50 sports and in excess of 120,000 different events in-play with in-play betting revenues during the ?rst six months of 2012 at £205m, growing 44.9% over the previous period, while during the ?nancial year ending March 2012, in-play revenues topped £344.8m, by far the dominant contributor within total sports betting revenues. It also consistently beat its competitors in offering hundreds more events with Sportingbet and Paddy Power coming second in football and tennis respectively, while launching new features including Multi-View, allowing players to tailor the display of its in-play events to their own preference; Match Live, which tracks various sports as the match is being played showing, for example, the number of corners, free kicks, throw-ins and which team has the ball during a game; while also adding 50% more live streamed events to its sites as well as launching a bet365 app for both iPhone and iPad in the Apple App Store in the UK and a number of other countries. Samuel L Jackson appears in bet365's Australian adverts FINANCIALS For the ?nancial year ending March 2012, total amounts wagered rose to £12.2bn from £8.5bn in the same period in 2011, NGR to £648m from £438.5m, while operating pro?t climbed to £131.4m from £97.3m. S T R AT E G Y & DELIVERABILITY Took the opportunity to move further away from dot.com strategy gaining licences in Denmark, Spain and Australia with the latter market experiencing signi?cant growth. GEOGRAPHIC REACH Continues to operate in a number of grey markets including Asia, but received licences in Spain, Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein and opened up a 100-strong operation in Australia. © BRAND INFLUENCE Extensive sports billboard and TV advertising in its key markets including the use of US actor Samuel L. Jackson (pictured) in Australia ensure it is always front of mind. 93 OVERALL 100 02 > WILLIAM HILL ONLINE PUBLIC FINANCIALS Online described as “outstanding” in H1 2012 with net revenues of £198m for six months to 26 June and £62.5m operating pro?t – exceeded expectations. (2) S T R AT E G Y & DELIVERABILITY Playtech uncertainty still relevant, but interest in Sportingbet shows eagerness to ?ll what gaps remain and narrow bet365's gap further. While other land-based stalwarts have enjoyed differing fortunes from their online activities, Hills has embraced its online arm with H1 net revenues up 30% year-on-year and mobile thriving. Sportsbook remains the most signi?cant growth area, however, with mobile sportsbook turnover quadrupling during the period, poker could also be set to play a more signi?cant role with the bene?ts of its inclusion on the top tier of the iPoker network yet to be seen. Relations with Playtech appear to have stabilised, although the industry is waiting with baited breath as to what February 2013's valuation on the JV will be following a number of public disputes including last October’s mass staff walkout. This, and the impact of new online MD Andy Lee, seem likely to shape the company’s transition into the new year, as does the potential for (along with GVC) its acquisition of Sportingbet with a second offer being considered, valuing the operator at £530m. GEOGRAPHIC REACH Pulled out of Australia and G ?????????????????????????????????????M????????????????1??????????M?????(+ ?() I9?%91U9 )???????????????UL????????????????????????????????????????UL?????????????????????????????????????????????????((??()=YI10((???)???????????????((0

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